At the 43rd UNESCO General Conference, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni renewed Greece’s longstanding call for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Athens, urging member states to back what she called a “just and deeply symbolic cause.”
“The Parthenon is a unique monument, a global symbol of democracy and an unparalleled artistic achievement; a heritage that belongs not only to Greece but to all of humanity,” Mendoni said.
Reaffirming Greece’s “unwavering” stance on the reunification of the sculptures, she emphasised that the Parthenon must be restored to its full integrity as “an indivisible artistic whole” at the Acropolis Museum.
Mendoni also addressed the illicit trafficking of cultural goods, calling for stronger international collaboration and public awareness to safeguard cultural heritage.
She highlighted Greece’s continued global advocacy, referencing her participation at the Mondiacult 2025 Conference in Barcelona, where she underscored the need to protect heritage from both human and natural threats.
The minister noted Greece’s recent submission to UNESCO to include the Mount Olympus region on the World Heritage List, and the growing recognition of February 9 as World Greek Language Day.
The Parthenon Marbles, ripped off the Acropolis in the early 19th century by Lord Elgin and now housed in the British Museum, remain a central issue between Greece and the UK.
The dispute has been on UNESCO’s agenda for over 40 years, with mounting international support for their eventual return to Athens.
Source: tovima.com
